If you’re even remotely interested in high-end watches, you must be aware of the fact that Baselworld and SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) are two of the biggest and most important watch shows in the world. Both the Switzerland based fairs become the platform for all the major watchmakers to showcase their latest and greatest. However, falling attendance has brought the two competing superpowers together to make a very interesting announcement. The two industry titans have reached an agreement to organize the watch shows back-to-back in April of 2020, effectively creating one continuous mega watch fair. But, the fairs will take place in the two original venues of Geneva and Basel in Switzerland.
Over the last few years, the footfall at these shows has witnessed a decline forcing watchmakers to reassess their participation. Several major watch brands pulled out of both events, including Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet pulling out of SIHH and the entire Swatch Group deciding to pull out of Baselworld. This forced the watch fairs to change the format and synchronize the calendars. SIHH will show first from April 26th through the 29th in Geneva with Baselworld following from April 30th to May 5th in Basel. The two heavyweights have decided to run the new schedule from 2020 to 2024. “Baselworld and the SIHH are working for the industry and its clients. We have sought dialogue with the SIHH and together have found a solution, which benefits visitors, the media, and the entire watchmaking industry enormously”, said Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld. “This partnership between the two most prominent exhibitions in the industry represents a major breakthrough for the future.”
[Via:Robbreport]